solitude

noun

sol·​i·​tude ˈsä-lə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion

2

: a lonely place (such as a desert)

Synonyms of solitude

• privacy
• isolation
• loneliness
• aloneness

Choose the Right Synonym for solitude

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone.

solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

Examples of solitude in a Sentence

She wished to work on her novel in solitude.

He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Axelsson and Hammeken picked up the last man living in Cape Hope, a former hunter who, in his solitude, had started seeing tiny ghosts running through the settlement, taunting him. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

And in the Baltic Film Competition, Vytautas Katkus‘ The Visitor, a meditation on solitude; took home the best film award, while Gabriele Urbonaite won the best director trophy for her feature directorial debut Renovation, about a woman turning 30 who faces cracks in the wall and her life. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Nov. 2025

Bentley shies away from this, instead favoring depictions of Grainier’s picturesque solitude and brief, platonic connection with Claire after the loss of his faithful, loving family. —Rory Doherty, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Another more introspective activity is to take advantage of the solitude to plan for the new year or review the past year. —Monica Haider, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin solitudin-, solitudo, from solus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for solitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

solitude

noun

sol·​i·​tude ˈsäl-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being alone or far-off from society : seclusion, loneliness

2

: a lonely place (as a desert)

Etymology

Middle English solitude "the state of being alone," from early French solitude (same meaning), from Latin solitudin-, solitudo (same meaning), from solus "alone" — related to desolate, sole entry 4, solo